⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Levi and Jillian are all grown up, with eye-opening life experiences behind them, and can finally get the second chance they both deserve in this sweet, heartwarming romance.

Jillian Keller took the long route to her best life, but is now happily settled in her hometown of Smile, raising her little girl alone while helping her brother run Get Lost Lodge. A lover of structure and routine, she doesn’t need anything, or anyone, disrupting her carefully curated life.

After chasing and achieving his culinary dreams, Levi Bright realizes he’s still missing something. Something he can’t find in a big city. Returning home to Smile, he intends to build a different future for himself that includes mending fences with his dad, reconnecting with friends, and creating elevated comfort food for a town he loves.

When Levi and Jilly run into each other one day in Smile, once requited feelings that never had a chance to bloom as teens flare between them immediately. Jaded from her past, Jilly is cautious and convinced that she can handle being just friends, as the two have to work closely together to prepare for Get Lost’s official summer opening, spending time together, camping, laughing, kayaking, and reminiscing. But when her brother hires sweet, funny, ridiculously hot Levi as the new chef at the lodge, and she and Ollie are getting more attached, things are moving more quickly than she anticipated–and Jilly has been hurt before. If she wants to be head over heels in love, she’ll have to learn that the past doesn’t always repeat itself. Sometimes, it just leads you where you’re meant to be.

MY THOUGHTS

These two had wonderful chemistry between them. They started something pretty early on, and even though the attraction burned hot, they took their time to finally act on it. Their intimate scenes were fade-to-black, but very intense, nonetheless.

There were some slow-moving parts and the bits with her ex felt like unnecessary filler. It was clear that Jillian had plenty to deal with after her disastrous marriage, without bringing him into the picture. Levi had his own issues, but he was wholly committed to making the relationship with Jillian work. Ollie and Levi were super cute together.

The ending was pretty corny, but perfect for closing the loop of Levi and Jillian that started when they were kids. This book is part of a series but stands well on its own. I didn’t read the first one. I can recommend it if you like a charming closed-door romance.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 11, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Subtle (warmish, lots of kissing)
Series: Book 2 of Rock Bottom Love
Tropes: Second Chance, Small Town, Childhood Friends to Lovers, Single Mom